Guyana gets new President

Leader of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Dr Mohamed Irfan Ali was sworn in as Guyana’s ninth President on Sunday.

The swearing-in brought an end to a protracted period of challenges to the results of the 2 March General and Regional elections.  It was done shortly after the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) declared Ali the President-elect from those elections.

In a Statement after taking his oath of Office, President Ali promised that his PPP/Civic government “will serve all the people of Guyana”.

Out-going President Mr. David Granger, in a Statement on Sunday, publicly acknowledged GECOM’s election declaration.

“I have stated, repeatedly, from the start of the electoral process, that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition would respect the lawful ‘declaration’ of the Elections Commission.  I have never altered this position and I do now acknowledge the ‘declaration.’”

Former President Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, who was sworn in as Vice-President, will head a transition team. President Ali announced that a full inauguration ceremony will be held later in the week at which he will provide greater details of his Administration’s plans for governance, and complete appointments to his cabinet. The new Prime Minister  Mr Mark Phillips, Attorney General Mr Anil Nandlall and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ms Gail Teixeria were sworn in on Sunday.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) mounted an Observer Mission for

the 2 March Elections and a High Level Team of Scrutineers for a Vote Recount which was used for the declaration of the results.

Source: CARICOM TODAY